Hanley Marsh Street Primitive Methodist chapel

We are told in the 1860 Primitive Methodist magazine about the laying by Samuel Tillotson of a foundation stone for the extension of Hamley Primitive Methodist chapel.

L.J. Abingdon laid the foundation stone and Mr. Scrivener was the architect. Edward Powell chaired a tea meeting for 300 people.

Thanks to Richard Jennings for identifying the chapel as Marsh Street chapel, at the junction of Marsh Street and Brunswick Street.

Richard found the following about a chapel extension in 1860-61 which fits very neatly  fit with a chapel in Brunswick Street?

According to the “Staffordshire Sentinel” of Saturday 13 Oct 1860, LJ Abington laid the foundation stone to the enlargement of the chapel on Brunswick Street, HaNley (on 8 September 1860).

According to the report, the Society had commenced at Stanley a few miles from Hanley. Tea had been provided for 200 persons but more than double that were present. The problem was overcome by having three sittings. The Rev Samuel Tillotson gave out the hymns (the first being “Before Jehovah’s awful throne”)

At the time of a 1907 Christian Messenger article about the Hanley Primitive Methodist circuit, Marsh Street was the head of the circuit. It had enjoyed  “a chequered career.” where “Romance and tragedy are woven into its history.” In 1907 it was successfully reducing its debt

“The school in Frederic Street is ideal. A large general room, with a suite of classrooms, makes effective teaching possible. Here, as in other departments of Christian service, men of God are working deeply and truly for eternity. The Young Men’s Class is invariably crowded, and under the faithful teaching of Samuel Hopkinson many have surrendered themselves to Christ.”

The building still exists in 2018, but in a somewhat changed form as Portofino restaurant.

Reference

Primitive Methodist magazine December 1860 page 743